The previous article discussed capabilities of SOLIDWORKS useful for the
woodworking industry on an example of a set of frameless cabinets. This
article and companion video will discuss the design of framed cabinetry in
SOLIDWORKS as well as some additional modeling details, on an example of a
simple set of drawers:
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Worth noting is that the motion of drawers, doors or nearly any hinged or sliding mechanism can be simulated in a SOLIDWORKS assembly to check for a range of motion and interferences.
Focusing on the cabinet itself, we can see that it is made up of 1x2s. An easy way to represent these types of framed structures in SOLIDWORKS is to use the Weldments “Structural Member” tool.
The structural member tool was originally intended for large steel framed structures but has also found popularity in other applications such as woodworking, as users can easily define their own profiles for stock material sizes. This tool allows assigning of the desired profile to a single-line outline sketch and performs automatic trimming of the various members against each other.
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Also of importance is the automatic creation and tracking of a cut list. Any members created with the Structural Member tool automatically have their cut length tracked and identical cut items grouped together, allowing the user to quickly generate a cut list for shop drawings.
Focusing down on the level of an individual drawer, repetitive design tasks such as joinery features can be automated through the creation of “Design Library” features such as Smart Features and Smart Components. These allow the user to define SOLIDWORKS features on a dummy part, which then allows dragging and dropping the desired features onto the current design. A preview window guides the user through selecting any references necessary to associate the feature.
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Smart Components establish a similar functionality at the assembly level. One application of Smart Components would be to allow a user to place a piece of hardware such as a hinge, and automatically propagate the hole pattern necessary for the hardware, as well as insert any required fasteners.
For more information, check out our YouTube channel or contact us at Hawk Ridge Systems today. Thanks for reading!
